Alexander Murray (1755-1821)
Encyclopedia
Commodore Alexander Murray (July 12, 1755 – October 6, 1821) was a naval
officer during the American Revolution
, the Quasi War with France and the first Barbary war in North Africa. Murray Commanded his first ship at the age of 18.
, he served as captain in the 1st Maryland Regiment
, commanded several privateer
s, and was commissioned lieutenant in the Continental Navy
July 20, 1781, returning to private life in 1785.
, Flatbush and York. He was first appointed a lieutenant in the young American navy, but since
there were no other ships available at this time he entered the army. While serving at New York he lost his hearing from a bursting cannon while firing at a British fleet making its way up the North River, i.e.the lower Hudson
along the west side of Manhattan
.
He commanded Montezuma
, Insurgente, and Constellation
during the Quasi-War
with France
.
From 1801-1803 during the First Barbary War
he commanded the Constellation against the Barbary pirates of north Africa, serving with Thomas Macdonough
in the Mediterranean, giving the young officer lessons on how to develop as a naval officer. He took part in the blockade at Tripoli harbor.
Murry commanded the Adams
in home waters in 1805.
From 1808 until his death October 6, 1821, Commodore Murray was superintendent of gunboats at Philadelphia, and, from July 8, 1813, also was first commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, the Quasi War with France and the first Barbary war in North Africa. Murray Commanded his first ship at the age of 18.
Early life
Born in Chestertown, MarylandChestertown, Maryland
Chestertown is a town in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,746 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kent County. The ZIP code is 21620 and the area codes are 410 and 443...
, he served as captain in the 1st Maryland Regiment
1st Maryland Regiment
The 1st Maryland Regiment originated with the authorization of a Maryland Battalion of the Maryland State Troops on 14 January 1776...
, commanded several privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s, and was commissioned lieutenant in the Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
July 20, 1781, returning to private life in 1785.
American Revolution
Murry fought in the American Revolution and was present at the battles of White PlainsBattle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed...
, Flatbush and York. He was first appointed a lieutenant in the young American navy, but since
there were no other ships available at this time he entered the army. While serving at New York he lost his hearing from a bursting cannon while firing at a British fleet making its way up the North River, i.e.the lower Hudson
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
along the west side of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Post Revolution
Upon the organization of the U.S. Navy, Murray was commissioned captain July 1, 1798.He commanded Montezuma
USS Montezuma (1798)
The first USS Montezuma was a ship in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France. Her merchant name was retained.Montezuma was built in Virginia in 1795 for transatlantic voyages; acquired by the Navy 26 June 1798 from William Taylor at Baltimore, Maryland, for service against French...
, Insurgente, and Constellation
USS Constellation (1797)
USS Constellation was a 38-gun frigate, one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. She was distinguished as the first U.S. Navy vessel to put to sea and the first U.S. Navy vessel to engage and defeat an enemy vessel...
during the Quasi-War
Quasi-War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
From 1801-1803 during the First Barbary War
First Barbary War
The First Barbary War , also known as the Barbary Coast War or the Tripolitan War, was the first of two wars fought between the United States and the North African Berber Muslim states known collectively as the Barbary States...
he commanded the Constellation against the Barbary pirates of north Africa, serving with Thomas Macdonough
Thomas MacDonough
Thomas Macdonough was an early-19th-century American naval officer noted for his roles in the first Barbary War, and the War of 1812. He was the son of a revolutionary officer, Thomas Sr. who lived close to Middleton, Delaware. Being the sixth child born, he came from a large family of ten...
in the Mediterranean, giving the young officer lessons on how to develop as a naval officer. He took part in the blockade at Tripoli harbor.
Murry commanded the Adams
USS Adams (1799)
The first USS Adams was a 28-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy. She should not be confused with .-Commissioning:She was laid down in 1797 at New York City by John Jackson and William Sheffield and launched on 8 June 1799. Capt...
in home waters in 1805.
From 1808 until his death October 6, 1821, Commodore Murray was superintendent of gunboats at Philadelphia, and, from July 8, 1813, also was first commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Legacy
- Two ships, USS Murray (DD-97)USS Murray (DD-97)The second USS Murray was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Commodore Alexander Murray and Commodore Murray's grandson, Alexander Murray.-History:...
and DD-576USS Murray (DD-576)The third USS Murray was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. Murry was named for Capt. Alexander Murray and his grandson Rear Adm. Alexander Murray...
were named for him and his grandson, Alexander MurrayAlexander Murray (1816-1884)Alexander Murray was an officer in the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Biography:...